Reception is muted mid transmission randomly

[imd]

That's what I think may be happening. When the radio doesn't know whether its looking for an analog signal or a digital one, and the signal it happens to be monitoring is analog, maybe it is getting confused by an image of a digital signal, or a digital signal on a nearby frequency. I have not seen this issue on my SDS200, but then again almost all of my analog channels either have a CTCSS or DCS tone programmed, or the radio is set to search for a CTCSS/DCS tone, meaning that channel is essentially defined as being analog. I primarily scan my custom Favorites Lists. I rarely use search mode and have not used it at all yet on the SDS.
.

It's an interesting theory. My system is defined as analog in Sentinel, but who knows how the radio really treats that setting.

 

[w2lie]

Regardless of the root cause, I am surprised this is a problem on the SDS200 and not other ‘legacy’ scanners that support P25.

I’m still happy with my SDS200 and will continue to troubleshoot to see what modes this happens with and what modes (if any) this does not.

Hopefully Uniden has some info as well. I’m always happy to see Upman engage in any issues and it speaks volumes for the company.

 

[Lotek]

Regardless of the root cause, I am surprised this is a problem on the SDS200 and not other ‘legacy’ scanners that support P25.

I’m still happy with my SDS200 and will continue to troubleshoot to see what modes this happens with and what modes (if any) this does not.

Hopefully Uniden has some info as well. I’m always happy to see Upman engage in any issues and it speaks volumes for the company.

Does this also happen on your SDS100?

 

[jmulvihill]

I am just a novice user with the SDS100, but I am having the exact same issue on my unit. I came here searching for what I may have setup incorrectly. I will start to receive a transmission from a Motorola Smartnet system (Collin County TX Public Safety), then it cuts out, and then sometimes returns 1-3 seconds later. I have an old BC250D scanning the same Motorola system (rebanded, so not able to use the trunking), and it locks on the analog signal for the entire transmission, but the SDS100 randomly cuts out. Sorry for my lack of technical detail, but I am just learning the new scanner, and really scanning in general, so don't know all of the pieces/parts to specify here like the original poster. Trying to learn by reading all of the posts, but saw this and wanted to chime in as it describes exactly what I am seeing too. Thanks all! I will continue to search for more info, but it seems as if it is something that some others have seen. I hope that Uniden fixes it soon, as it is really irritating. Now I just need to find out why I seem to routinely miss the initial part of some transmissions. More Forum searching is ahead!!

I am returning my SDS100 due to this issue. Very worrisome to supposedly have one of the best scanners on the market, yet it keeps muting the audio in the middle of transmissions. I was thinking I might get a replacement in case this one is defective, but I am not confident that a new unit will be any different... maybe the Whistler that is rumored to be coming will do better...

Anyone else in the N. TX area scanning the Collin County Pubkic Safety system with an SDS100 without these dropouts?

 

[jmulvihill]

@UPMan - here is a video of the issue. @sparklehorse , you'll see the LINK is displayed on the SDS200 as well.

I am having the same issue on the SDS100. I notice that the delay between loosing audio and it returning is also about 5 seconds In your video. That is the same thing I am seeing on the 100, but not really as much of a pop. I will be returning the unit for either an exchange or refund. I need to decide which will be best, but as a novice scanner, this has me concerned. I am not as knowledgeable as you all here with scanner settings and insight... maybe get a different, older model or await the TRX-100...

 

[imd]

Great video, that's what i'm seeing as well! Frustrating as it's the main system in my area!

 

[jmulvihill]

Great video, that's what i'm seeing as well! Frustrating as it's the main system in my area!

How often do you get the drop outs, and do those dropouts last 5 seconds too? I think you said yours is an SDS200 scanner...?

 

[baayers]

Add me to the list of users with the drop out issue.

SDS100 running newest firmware. Happened while monitoring 3 different frequencies. 2 in the 440 MHz ham band and the other was in the 453 MHz area. Reception was between -80 and -105. This was in a rural area and the nearest tower to my location that exists on either VHF or UHF was about 7 miles away. There was no conflict with adjacent frequency interference. The nearest cellular tower was located about 2.5 miles from my location. My symptoms are exactly the same as others have mentioned. The audio will drop out and link will appear on my screen for between 5 and 15 seconds. All filter options tried with no success. Unfortunately I did not see this thread before tonight so did not think to enable the noise option for testing and will not return to the location where I had issues for a few weeks.

 

[maus92]

Add me to the list of users with the drop out issue.

SDS100 running newest firmware. Happened while monitoring 3 different frequencies. 2 in the 440 MHz ham band and the other was in the 453 MHz area. Reception was between -80 and -105. This was in a rural area and the nearest tower to my location that exists on either VHF or UHF was about 7 miles away. There was no conflict with adjacent frequency interference. The nearest cellular tower was located about 2.5 miles from my location. My symptoms are exactly the same as others have mentioned. The audio will drop out and link will appear on my screen for between 5 and 15 seconds. All filter options tried with no success. Unfortunately I did not see this thread before tonight so did not think to enable the noise option for testing and will not return to the location where I had issues for a few weeks.

Can you clarify that you had this issue in a particular area, but not all areas where you have used the radio?

 

[baayers]

Can you clarify that you had this issue in a particular area, but not all areas where you have used the radio?

That was a good question. Up until this last weekend I would say my scanner had spent 99% of its life on digital. I decided to take my scanner with me today and try it in a bunch of different locations searching on the UHF area between 440 and 470 MHz. Everywhere that I went I was able to find at least a couple of frequencies that would exhibit the muting behavior during times they were active. I tested in a dozen locations around Tampa and St. Petersburg as well as while traveling across the Howard Franklin Bridge over Tampa Bay. The signal strength of the frequencies being muted ranged between -80 and -108. Since I did not have the noise level displaying on my screen while I was in the panhandle I wanted to see what the noise levels were today and depending on the channel being monitored they were as low as 75 and as high as 950. At least from what I saw today it seemed as if the noise level was having no impact on the muting as it was happening in both extremes.

After today I think I can definitely rule out that it is an isolated issue happening in only one location and seems to occur everywhere.

 

[imd]

What I get about every 5th transmission..

I'm not sure if Analog is an optional $75 upgrade but performance is pathetic.

 

[phask]

What I get about every 5th transmission..

I'm not sure if Analog is an optional $75 upgrade but performance is pathetic.

Lot of noise and attenuator on. What exactly are you having issue with.

 

[imd]

You didnt read any other posts in this thread or the title did you?

 

[phask]

You didnt read any other posts in this thread or the title did you?

If that's dierected at me - read every one.

If this is the San Diego Trunked system - run Analyze, possible something is possibly interfering.

Why is ATT on?
As I stated, noise is very high.
What, if any filters have you tried?

 

[imd]

Regardless of attenuation or filters it happens. Scanning a FL or holding on one it happens.

Other radios listening to the same thing dont have this issue.

 

[phask]

Regardless of attenuation or filters it happens. Scanning a FL or holding on one it happens.

Other radios listening to the same thing dont have this issue.

All I'm hearing as a reply is crickets and nothing to help isolate the issue.

This
run Analyze, possible something is possibly interfering.

Also apply IFX on the freqs.

 

[imd]

All I'm hearing as a reply is crickets and nothing to help isolate the issue.

This
run Analyze, possible something is possibly interfering.

Also apply IFX on the freqs.

Why doesn't Uniden debug this issue? I payed $700 for the privilege to beta test their product!

Like I've mentioned before, I can put an older Uniden and Whistler scanner next to it and they don't have this issue, at the same time, same location, same TG. If it was interference, it should affect all the radios, unless the SDS performance is so poor it's susceptible to interference that other radios don't have an issue with.

 

[mule1075]

If it was interference, it should affect all the radios, unless the SDS performance is so poor it's susceptible to interference that other radios don't have an issue with.

Not necessarily since the sds is a completely different receiver design it could very well be susceptible to interference. That is the nature of the beast. If you are not happy how your $700 radio is performing you do have options available to you.

 

[maus92]

Why doesn't Uniden debug this issue? I payed $700 for the privilege to beta test their product!

Like I've mentioned before, I can put an older Uniden and Whistler scanner next to it and they don't have this issue, at the same time, same location, same TG. If it was interference, it should affect all the radios, unless the SDS performance is so poor it's susceptible to interference that other radios don't have an issue with.

Have you submitted log files to Uniden to help them debug?

1) Power off
2) Hold the Avoid key, and keep holding it, while powering back on ... keep holding Avoid until your favorite lists load, and you hear three beeps
3) Menu -> Settings -> Set Debug Log Mode -> SD Card (File)

Then reproduce the issue you're experiencing. When done, return to the menu and turn debug logging off.

You'll then the log file(s) in the "debug" folder on the SD card.

 

[imd]

Not necessarily since the sds is a completely different receiver design it could very well be susceptible to interference. That is the nature of the beast. If you are not happy how your $700 radio is performing you do have options available to you.

I don't think i'm out of line expecting the performance of the radio to be at least similar to previous scanners released by Uniden, or their competition regardless of the design.